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Associate professor of physics education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an associate professor of physics. Associate professors of physics usually study physics, health education, or chemistry. 44% of associate professors of physics hold a bachelor's degree, and 26% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 149 real associate professor of physics resumes to see exactly what associate professor of physics education sections show.

The most common colleges for associate professors of physics are the Rice University and the Rice University.

There are also many online associate professor of physics courses to help get the education required to be an associate professor of physics.

What education do you need to become an associate professor of physics?

What degree do you need to be an associate professor of physics?

The most common degree for associate professors of physics is bachelor's degree, with 44% of associate professors of physics earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 26% and master's degree degree at 18%.
  • Bachelor's, 44%
  • Master's, 26%
  • Doctorate, 18%
  • Associate, 5%
  • Other Degrees, 7%

What should I major in to become an associate professor of physics?

You should major in physics to become an associate professor of physics. 42% of associate professors of physics major in physics. Other common majors for an associate professor of physics include health education and chemistry.

Most common colleges for associate professors of physics

Associate professors of physics often get their degrees at Rice University, Wesleyan University, and Ohio State University. Here are the most common colleges for associate professors of physics in the US based on their resumes.
Associate professor of physics common collegePercentages
Rice University9.09%
Wesleyan University6.06%
Ohio State University6.06%
Howard University6.06%
University of Alabama at Birmingham6.06%

Best majors for associate professors of physics

RankMajorPercentages
1Physics41.7%
2Health Education5.8%
3Chemistry4.9%
4Business4.9%
5Physical Therapy3.9%

Best colleges for associate professors of physics

The best colleges for associate professors of physics are Harvard University, Northwestern University, and Columbia University in the City of New York.

An associate professor of physics with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for associate professors of physics. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become associate professors of physics.

1. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

2. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

3. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Enrollment

18,946

4. University of Virginia

Charlottesville, VA • Private

In-state tuition

$17,653

Enrollment

16,405

5. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

6. Brown University

Providence, RI • Private

In-state tuition

$55,466

Enrollment

6,752

7. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

8. Tufts University

Medford, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,382

Enrollment

5,597

9. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Enrollment

34,564

10. University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$10,610

Enrollment

40,329

20 best online courses for associate professors of physics

Advertising disclosure

1. Understanding Modern Physics II: Quantum Mechanics and Atoms

coursera

Course Overview: https://youtu.be/xyF-MmGNxd0 The 20th century was known as the century of physics. In the past 120 years, concepts such as space, time, energy, entropy and particles were understood to much deeper levels. New paradigms of thinking such as relativity and quantum mechanics emerged. This course is the second course in the Understanding Modern Physics series, which covers an introduction to quantum mechanics, atomic physics and quantum information. We will find (i) How the quantum...

2. Exploring Quantum Physics

coursera

An introduction to quantum physics with emphasis on topics at the frontiers of research, and developing understanding through exercise...

3. Quantum Physics: an overview of a weird world (Basics)

udemy
4.6
(1,355)

A primer on the conceptual foundations of Quantum Physics...

4. Quantum Physics from Beginner to Expert (Quantum mechanics)

udemy
4.6
(465)

From the very fundamentals to advanced topics like quantum computing...

5. Understanding Modern Physics III: Simplicity and Complexity

coursera

The 20th century was known as the century of physics. In the past 120 years, concepts such as space, time, energy, entropy and particles were understood to much deeper levels. New paradigms of thinking such as relativity and quantum mechanics emerged. This course is the third course in the Understanding Modern Physics series, which covers an introduction to action principle, fundamental particle physics, entropy & information and complexity. This course offers a broad view between simplicity...

6. Physics of silicon solar cells

coursera

The first MOOC “Photovoltaic solar energy” is a general presentation of the solar photovoltaics technologies in the global energetic context, without extensive details. In particular the description of the solar cell operation is restricted to the ideal case In contrast this second MOOC allows a deep understanding of the properties of solar cells based on crystalline semiconductors. It consists in a general presentation of the physics of the photovoltaics devices with a particular emphasize on...

7. QC151 Quantum Physics for QC - Content moved to QC101

udemy
4.2
(416)

This course has become part of QC101. Buy this course if you want only the physics lessons without the rest of QC101...

8. Classical Physics: Journey Through the Laws of the Universe

udemy
4.7
(304)

Peer beneath the surface of reality, understand how the universe works, and develop physics apps that make a difference!...

9. Physics 101 - Rotational Motion and Gravitation

coursera

This third course serves as an introduction to the physics of rotational motion and gravitation. Upon completion, learners will understand how mathematical laws and conservation principles describe the motions and interactions of objects around us. Learners will gain experience in solving physics problems with tools such as graphical analysis, algebra, vector analysis, and calculus. This third course covers Rotational motion, Angular Momentum, and Gravitation. Each of the three modules contains...

10. Physics 102 - AC Circuits and Maxwell's Equations

coursera

This fourth course serves as an introduction to the physics of electricity and magnetism. Upon completion, learners will understand how mathematical laws and conservation principles describe fields and how these fields are related to electrical circuits. Learners will gain experience in solving physics problems with tools such as graphical analysis, algebra, vector analysis, and calculus. This fourth course covers AC circuits, Impedance, and Magnetism. Each of the two modules contains reading...

11. Physics - Kinematics for High School and AP Physics 1

udemy
4.7
(315)

This is a comprehensive Algebra based Mechanics course in physics specifically covering topics of Kinematics...

12. The Complete AP and College Physics Course

udemy
4.2
(485)

Master the College/AP physics from classical to modern physics, then test your knowledge with 300+ practice exercises!...

13. Preparing for the AP Physics 1 Exam

coursera

This course is designed for high school students preparing to take the AP* Physics 1 Exam. * AP Physics 1 is a registered trademark of the College Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, this product...

14. Modern Topics in Condensed Matter Physics

coursera

This course will begin by discussing superconductivity - a central example of a macroscopic phenomenon. It will then proceed to discuss various modern topics in quantum condensed matter physics, including fractionalization, anyon statistics, topology, and non-equilibrium phases. The course aims to provide learners with an appreciation for some modern topics in condensed matter physics...

15. Intro to Unity 3D Physics: Helicopters

udemy
4.4
(380)

Learn how to create Helicopter physics for Games with Unity 3D and C#!...

16. Game Physics - Introducing Gravitation & Rotation in Unity

udemy
4.5
(1,171)

Step-by-step tutorial on how to create a basic rigid body motion physics from scratch. Taught in C# using Unity 3D free...

17. Physics 102 - Magnetic Fields and Faraday's Law

coursera

This third course serves as an introduction to the physics of electricity and magnetism. Upon completion, learners will understand how mathematical laws and conservation principles describe fields and how these fields are related to electrical circuits. Learners will gain experience in solving physics problems with tools such as graphical analysis, algebra, vector analysis, and calculus. This third course covers Magnetic Fields and Faraday's Law of Induction. Each of the three modules contains...

18. Intro to Airplane Physics in Unity 3D - 2017 & 2018

udemy
4.8
(588)

Learn how to build your very own Custom Airplane Physics with Unity & C#...

19. Quantum Computing and Quantum Machine Learning - Part 1

udemy
4.3
(295)

Foundational Course for Quantum Computing and Quantum Machine Learning...

20. The Complete Physics Course - Learn Science the easy way!

udemy
4.6
(372)

A course that's made for you to easily learn Physics! ....even for those that don't like Math & Science :)...

Top 10 most affordable universities for associate professors of physics

The most affordable schools for associate professors of physics are University of Florida, hunter college of the city university of new york, and california state university - long beach.

If the best universities for associate professors of physics are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for associate professors of physics.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

3. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

4. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

5. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

6. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

7. Queens College of the City University of New York

Queens, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,338

Cost of attendance

14,281

8. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

9. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

10. California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,886

Cost of attendance

17,645

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for associate professors of physics

The hardest universities for associate professors of physics to get into are Harvard University, Northwestern University, and Columbia University in the City of New York.

Some great schools for associate professors of physics are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for associate professors of physics based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

3. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

4. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

5. Brown University

Providence, RI • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

6. Tufts University

Medford, MA • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,461

7. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

8. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

9. Yale University

New Haven, CT • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,517

10. Case Western Reserve University

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,443

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for associate professors of physics

The easiest schools for associate professors of physics to get into are University of Houston - Downtown, barry university, and san francisco state university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an associate professor of physics without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for associate professors of physics.

1. University of Houston - Downtown

Houston, TX • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,012

2. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

3. San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,054

4. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

5. Linfield College

McMinnville, OR • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,117

6. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

7. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Standish, ME • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,069

8. Thomas More University

Crestview Hills, KY • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

1,099

9. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

10. Old Dominion University

Norfolk, VA • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,093

Average associate professor of physics salary by education level

According to our data, associate professors of physics with a Doctorate degree earn the highest average salary, at $78,575 annually. Associate professors of physics with a Master's degree earn an average annual salary of $61,634.
Associate professor of physics education levelAssociate professor of physics salary
Master's Degree$61,634
Doctorate Degree$78,575

Associate professor of physics education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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